The ballroom was alive with the vibrant energy of the celebration. The air was thick with the sound of laughter, clinking glasses, and the lively music of a grand orchestra. 

Women adorned in extravagant gowns twirled gracefully as they mingled on their social circles, while men in polished suits conversed in hushed tones. 

The room was a kaleidoscope of colors and a parade of fashion, each guest seemingly trying to outdo the other in opulence. As Auriella entered, the cacophony of the ballroom quieted for a brief moment. 

Her presence commanded attention, not just because of her entrance but because of the gown she wore- an ethereal white dress, simple in design, flowing like liquid moonlight. 

To the untrained eye, it might have appeared understated, but to those gathered, it was a stark contrast to the elaborate and heavily embellished attire favored by the other women. 

Whispers began to ripple through the crowd, venomous and biting. 

"Ugh! What is she wearing? It looks more like a nightgown than a dress." 

"Who comes to a ball dressed like that? Does she think she's above dressing like us?" 

"Haha, it seems no one told her the latest fashion." 

Auriella's expression remained impassive, her eyes cold as she navigated the sea of judgmental stares and whispered insults. 

'Such childish behavior,' she thought, inwardly amused by their pettiness. 

Without hesitation, she made her way to the refreshments table, picked up a glass of champagne, and took a delicate sip, her posture unyielding. 

As she was about to further into the shadows of the grand room, she felt a presence behind her. 

Instinctively, she turned, only to be met with Leo's wide-eyed stare. He stood there, momentarily speechless, his gaze unabashedly raking over her form. 

"My eyes are up here," Auriella teased, her lips curling into a soft chuckle. Leo's face flushed a deep red as he quickly looked away, clearing his throat in embarrassment. 

"Apologies, it's just...for someone who didn't want to dress up, you pull it off extremely well," he managed to say with a sheepish smile. 

Auriella's amusement deepened, and she offered him a genuine compliment in return. "Well, you look quite dashing as well-" but her words were cut off by the sharp clank of metal against glass, the sound echoing through the room. 

All eyes turned toward the king, who stood at the head of the room, his presence commanding. He raised his glass, and the room fell into a reverent silence. 

"Welcome, one and all, to celebrate my son and Miss Auriella's achievements in this vicious war against those dreaded Voidkin. Would you all please raise your glasses for these two?" 

Glasses were lifted high, the crowd responding in unison. "Cheers!" 

The sound of collective drinking followed, and Auriella's gaze remained fixed on Leo as the room erupted into polite conversation once more. 

As if on cue, a swarm of women descended upon Leo, vying for his attention. They surrounded him, their laughter high-pitched, their compliments endless. 

Auriella sighed, recognizing the inevitable. "That's my cue. Have fun with that," she said lightly, giving him a knowing smile before slipping away to a nearby balcony. 

The cool night air greeted her as she stepped outside, the noise of the ballroom fading into the background. The balcony was bathed in the soft glow of the moon, the city below twinkling like a thousand stars. 

Auriella leaned against the railing, taking a deep breath, savoring the moment of solitude. 

"Why did I agree to come? It's just been one headache after another since I arrived," she muttered under her breath, downing the rest of her champagne in one go. 

The events of the night felt like a distant memory already, and she longed for the quiet of her own chambers. 

But the peace she sought was short-lived. 

Auriella felt a sudden, sharp pain in her lower back, the force of it knocking the breath out of her lungs. 

"Ugh!" She gasped, her body jerking in shock. She spun around, her eyes widening in disbelief as she saw the group of knights before her. 

The one closest to her, a dark-haired man she recognized from Leo's sparring session the day before, was holding a bloodied dagger. 

His expression was cold, merciless. 

"W-why?" Auriella choked out, her voice trembling as another dagger was thrust into her stomach. 

"You thought yourself better than us humans, so we were ordered to put you back in your place," the knight sneered, twisting the blade with a cruel smile. 

Auriella collapsed to the ground, her vision blurring as the strength drained from her body. Her once-white dress was now soaked with her own blood, turning a deep, ominous black. 

She could feel her life slipping away, her body growing colder with each passing moment. Just as the knight raised his weapon to deliver the final blow, a panicked shout pierced through the night. 

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!!" Leo's voice rang out, filled with horror and rage. He shoved the knights aside, dropping to his knees beside Auriella. 

His eyes were wide with fear, his hands trembling as he tried to press down on her wounds to stop the bleeding. 

"Auriella, please! Stay with me!" He begged, tears streaming down his face. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have left you alone. If I'd known this was going to happen, I would've never made you come. Please...don't die." 

Auriella's vision wavered, but she managed to reach out, her fingers brushing against his cheek. "Le-o?" She whispered weakly, her voice barely audible. 

Leo clutched her hand, holding it tightly as if his grip alone could keep her alive. He was a mess, his clothes and face stained with tears and her dark blood. 

His heart pounded in his chest, each beat a painful reminder of how little time they had left together. Suddenly, the night sky above them lit up with a burst of color as fireworks exploded, painting the heavens with brilliant hues. 

It was a cruel irony, Auriella thought, that such beauty should accompany her final moments. As her consciousness faded, the last thing she heard was Leo's anguished scream, a sound filled with pure, unbridled rage. 

Leo gently lifted her lifeless body into his arms, cradling her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. 

His steps were slow, deliberate, as he carried her back into the ballroom. The crowd parted in stunned silence, gasps and murmurs spreading throughout the room like wildfire. 

"You did this! I know you did, Father!" Leo's voice was a roar of fury, his eyes burning with hatred as he glared up at the king. The king remained unfazed, his expression twisted with satisfaction. 

He clapped his hands, his voice booming over the crowd. "Do you see, my subjects? The demons ARE capable of dying! And that BITCH got what she deserved!" His laughter echoed off the walls, a sound that sent shivers down Leo's spine. 

To Leo's horror, scattered sounds of claps and cheers rose from the crowd, their support for Auriella's death leaving him breathless. 

His knees buckled, and he sank to the ground, Auriella's body still held close. Disbelief and sorrow overwhelmed him, and he could feel the sharp edge of despair closing in around him. 

With a shaking hand, Leo reached for the dagger still embedded in Auriella's stomach. He pulled it out, the blade slick with her blood, and turned it toward himself, pressing the cold metal against his heart. 

The king's eyes widened in alarm, and he stood, his voice frantic. 

"Wait, Leo! Just calm down and think about what you're doing!" The king's fear was palpable, his earlier bravado gone in an instant. 

"What am I doing? What about what YOU did!?!" Leo screamed, his voice breaking with anguish. 

Fresh tears poured down his face as he looked down at Auriella's peaceful features. His thumb brushed against her cheek, a final, tender gesture. 

"I know it's too late to say this to you, but I've always loved you. Maybe even since the day you first came to Miravia," he whispered to her with a bitter, hollow chuckle. 

With one last, defiant glare at his father, Leo plunged the dagger into his already shattered heart, the blade sinking deep. 

The pain was immeasurable, but it was a relief compared to the agony of losing Auriella. As his life faded away, he collapsed beside her, his hand finding hers one final time. 

Together, they drifted into the darkness, leaving behind a world that had torn them apart.